Chapter 7
"Did I hear you clearly?"
"Are you deaf, Jed? I said since you insist on going, I'll go with you. Isn't that a fine solution?"
"NO!" Both men yelled it at the same time. Abby looked at both, amused at their shared response.
Jed stared at Leo, who quickly got the message.
"Sir, Ma'am, I'll be in my office if you need me." With those words, Leo padded across the soft carpet and quietly closed the door shut behind him.
Jed turned back to Abbey. "Come on and sit down. We'll talk."
Abbey allowed herself to be guided to the yellow damask-covered sofa where she eased down beside her husband.
With both settled, Jed repeated his response. "No, you're not going with me."
"Yes I am. I'm not going to allow you to go without me. And that's the bottom line. Discussion over." Abbey moved to stand but was quickly but gently pushed back on the sofa.
"No. You cannot go with me. There's too much danger and I won't allow you to even get near that place."
Abbey stood up now, ignoring Jed's hand on her arm. "My point exactly. There's too much danger for you as well. Therefore, we both are staying here or both are going. You take your choice. Because whatever your choice is, that's mine."
Jed stood, grabbing her arm to keep her from moving away. "No! You're staying here and I'm going. That's all it is."
Abbey froze as the pressure on her arm increased as Jed squeezed tighter. "Remove…your…hand…from…my…arm…right…now."
Jed's hand flew open and Abbey pulled back her arm. "Oh Abbey, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I'm just so angry that you can't understand why I have to go and why you can't come with me."
Abbey stared at her husband for a moment, then turned on her heels and walked out of the office. Just before getting to the door, she turned one more time, green eyes flashing. "When you come up, I'll be gone. If I have to, I will get the Service to drive me to Manchester tonight. You can have the bed all to yourself. Goodbye."
"Abbey, wait! I told you I was sorry." Jed lunged toward her but only felt the wind as the door slammed shut.
"Damn!" as he picked the nearest object and slammed it against the wall. That brought an agent to another door, concerned that something or someone was harming the President.
"Sir, are you okay?"
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine. I just need some time alone."
"Yes, sir" as the door quietly shut.
Jed sat down on the couch, angry at himself most of all. He had never touched his wife before while so angry. What the hell had led him to do that?
Leo had just opened his door to the Oval Office and noticed the glass shards against one wall. He then noticed the President sitting dejectedly on the sofa, his head bent and resting on his hands. Quietly, he backed out and closed the door. He knew that Jed would let him know what had happened in due time. Until then, it was hands off.